Transponder maintenance mode method
First Claim
1. A method for providing permanent or semi-permanent information to a memory within a transponder where the memory has restricted addresses not normally available for reading by an interrogator, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) sending an access code from said interrogator to said transponder, said access code giving the authorized entity access to pre-determined addresses within the transponder'"'"'s memory, thereby entering a transponder maintenance mode;
b) providing a maintenance mode acknowledgement signal from said transponder to said interrogator, said maintenance mode acknowledgement signal confirming to said interrogator that said transponder is in maintenance mode; and
c) transmitting interrogation messages of special instructions from said interrogator to said transponder, said special instructions valid only during said maintenance mode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system is provided for communicating permanent or semi-permanent information to a transponder (14) from an interrogator (12), preferably operated by a toll agency or other authorized entity. This permanent or semi-permanent information is communicated by means of special instructions valid only during a special mode or maintenance mode which is entered by transmitting a special access code to the transponder (14) from the authorized interrogator (12). The transponder (14) will preferably acknowledge to the authorized interrogator (12) that it is, in fact, operating in the maintenance mode so the interrogator (12) can transmit the special instructions in confidence.
92 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for providing permanent or semi-permanent information to a memory within a transponder where the memory has restricted addresses not normally available for reading by an interrogator, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) sending an access code from said interrogator to said transponder, said access code giving the authorized entity access to pre-determined addresses within the transponder'"'"'s memory, thereby entering a transponder maintenance mode; b) providing a maintenance mode acknowledgement signal from said transponder to said interrogator, said maintenance mode acknowledgement signal confirming to said interrogator that said transponder is in maintenance mode; and c) transmitting interrogation messages of special instructions from said interrogator to said transponder, said special instructions valid only during said maintenance mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A recognition system having an interrogator that is selectively operable to transmit first signals, wherein said first signals include an access code, and a transponder operable to receive said first signals including said access code and to perform operations upon receipt of said access code, said operations not normally available to be performed without receipt of said access code, said recognition system comprising:
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a) a transponder receiver, said transponder receiver operable to receive first signals including said access code and, following said access code, special instructions from said interrogator; b) a transponder controller within said transponder, said transponder controller operable to receive said access code, to compare said access code to a security code stored in said transponder, and should said access code be a pre-determined relationship to said security code, to receive said special instructions, said transponder controller further operable to perform otherwise unpermitted actions in response to said special instructions. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification